Shakespeares Macbeth

Reading Guide Grade 10 Applied English

Answer the following questions in full sentences and include examples from the
play.
ACT ONE
Act 1, Scene 1
1. What characteristics are usually associated with witches? Which of these
characteristics are shown in Scene 1?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
2. Based on what is shown in this first scene, what do you think the play is about?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 1, Scene 2
1. In this scene, characters talk about Macbeths actions in battle. What kind of
character is Macbeth?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
2. What traits does Duncan exhibit that show him to be a good king?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 1, Scene 3
1. Name the four prophecies that the Three Witches reveal to Macbeth. What do
they tell Banquo?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 1, Scene 4
1. Explain how Macbeth feels about Malcolm being named the successor to the
throne.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 1, Scene 5
1. How does Lady Macbeth feel after she reads Macbeths letter?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 1, Scene 6
1. What traits does Lady Macbeth show that proves she has mastered hiding behind
a mask?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
____

Act 1, Scene 7
1. How does Macbeth feel about killing the king in this scene?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
ACT TWO
Act 2, Scene 1
1. What does Macbeths vision of the dagger symbolize?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 2, Scene 2
1. How does Lady Macbeth act in this scene?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 2, Scene 3
1. Explain the porter scene in terms of its comic relief.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

2. Describe how Macduff is portrayed in terms of his allegiance and loyalty to

Duncan, and his reaction to Duncans death. What is his behavior towards
Macbeth before and after the guards are killed?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
3. What are the reasons for Malcolm and Donalbain fleeing to separate countries?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 2, Scene 4
1. In what way does Macduff show suspicion of Macbeth?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

ACT THREE
Act 3, Scene 1
1. Why is Fleances death so important to Macbeth? How do you think Macbeth will
react if Fleance should escape the fate planned for him?

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

Act 3, Scene 2
1. Why does Macbeth keep his plan to murder Banquo a secret from his wife?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 3, Scene 3
1. This scene is a major crisis (climax) in the play. Explain.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 3, Scene 4
1. Why is Macbeth seeing a ghost?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

Act 3, Scene 5
1. What are the Witches planning for Macbeth?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

Act 3, Scene 6
1. What signs reveal that Macduff will be a strong opponent to Macbeth?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
ACT FOUR
Act 4, Scene 1
1. What are the witches three apparitions?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
2. What does Macbeth resolve to do by the end of this scene?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 4, Scene 2
1. Define pathos. How is pathos created in this scene between Lady Macduff and
her son?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

Act 4, Scene 3
1. Describe how Macduff and Malcolm feel about each other in this scene and what
they propose to do.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

ACT FIVE
Act 5, Scene 1
1. What is the significance of the image of blood in this scene? What is happening
with Lady Macbeth?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 5, Scene 2
1. What forces are opposing Macbeth?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 5, Scene 3
1. Describe how Macbeth feels at the end of this scene.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____

Act 5, Scene 4
1. How does this scene foreshadow the outcome of the battle?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 5, Scene 5
1. Why does Macbeth choose to go into battle to face the unknown rather than take
his own life?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
_____
Act 5, Scene 6
How is suspense created in this scene?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
Act 5, Scene 7
1.

The final failure and death of the hero completes the catastrophe of a tragedy.
a) Why is Macbeth considered a hero?
b) What is redeeming about his character?
c) How is his death a tragedy?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_____

Shakespeares Macbeth
Vocabulary ESL
Task: Use a dictionary or your notes to define the following words or terms.
1. Characteristics:____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__

2. Four Prophecies:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
____
3. Symbol:__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
4. Comic
Relief:____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
5. Allegiance:________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
6. Loyalty:__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
7. Crisis:____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
8. Climax:___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
9. Three
Apparitions:_______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___

10. Pathos:___________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
11. Image
(Imagery):________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
__
12. Catastrophe of
Tragedy:__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___
13. Tragedy:__________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___
14. Tragic
Flaw:_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___
15. Foreshadow:______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___
16. Suspense:_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___

17. Tragic
Hero:_____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___
18. Dramatic
Irony:____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___